Get Over It

“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.” (Luke 9:26)

It Ain’t Over

I attended a prayer meeting last night at my church and before we began, my pastor laid out his vision for our time together and asked if there were any questions. One hand went up and the question was asked, “Do I have to pray?” The person expounded a bit and when they finished my pastor summarized their narrative.

“So what you’re saying is that you’re a little shy about praying out-loud in front of other people…I understand…I’d say to you in love: ‘get over it.'”

A Question

My query is not in regard to your participation in corporate prayer, but rather to your passionate presence in your daily witness. If it’s applicable, “Why aren’t you talking about Jesus with the people God has put in your life?”

It’s not a rhetorical question; I’d like you to pause and answer it. Pull out a piece of paper (if you have to) and write down the names of the people you had contact with yesterday that you did not take the opportunity to mention Jesus (If there aren’t a lot of names, then consider the people you had contact with for the entire week). Next to each name jot down the reason why you did not or could not mention the Name of Jesus.

Finished?

I suspect that you have some acceptable reasons on your list, but I ask you, to whom are they acceptable? I submit to you that after a thorough examination, with God as your examiner, what you likely have in front of you is a list of fear-based excuses.

“I’ll get fired from my job,” or, “I’ll lose a client,” or “I won’t be able to visit my grand-kids anymore.” 

“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.” (Jeremiah 17:9-10)

Arguably, those excuses are valid, so I won’t dispute them here.  So let’s put them aside for a moment to give consideration to everyone else; what about all the other people you’ve had contact with? Does it appear that some of those excuses you’re using are being stretched thinly? If so, it’s time to be honest before God. It’s time to reckon that your baseless justifications are contemptuous before the Lord and He may rightly ask you, “Are you ashamed of My Son?”

I’m not condemning you, nor am I suggesting that your salvation is lost (Heaven forbid). What I am saying is that there is no shame in admitting you’re ashamed. You have simply come to an obstacle in the road and it’s time to make a choice. Do you turn around and seek another route? Do you step off the narrow path in an attempt to navigate around the obstruction?  Or, do you stop dead in your tracks and set up camp?

Of course you could always consider this maneuver:

Get over it!

If you’re a Christian, you have within you the power and authority to move forward, over and beyond the things that frighten and hold you back. In so doing you will discover (among other things) that the majority of the issues you fear never come to fruition. They are typically nothing more than seeds of doubt sown my the evil one; seeds that you have nurtured and cultivated through the years. By the dynamic of the Holy Spirit, you can now see these concerns for the weeds that they are and trample them under foot.

Will somebody be offended by the Name of Jesus?

Probably. At some point it’s inevitable.

But know with certainty that the Father will equip you for each and every situation. You need not fear man or worldly consequences. God is with you always. Jesus is your refuge and your high tower. He will see you through safely to the other side.

“The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe…The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me…do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell…For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (Proverbs 29:25, Hebrews 13:6, Matthew 10:28, 2 Timothy 1:7)

For Those Who Have Ears

This message may not be for you. By that I mean that this message is for you, but you may not be ready to hear it. Frankly, that’s an issue for a whole other blog. Having said that, there are some who are ready and able to see themselves clearly in this mirror and confess that the shameful image they see is their own. That is not meant to be an indictment against anyone, but rather encouragement for those who are ready to move forward for the Glory of the Father, in the Name of Jesus, and in the power of His Holy Spirit.

“Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in Heaven” (Matthew 10:32)

Leave a Comment

Many of you actively share your faith, but you remember the time(s) when you did not. Please share below about the decision-making process you went through and how Jesus was faithful to make provision for you. Your encouragement may be precisely the thing someone else needs to hear.

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17

These articles may or may not be related:

• Never Ashamed (Spurgeon’s Faith’s Checkbook) (hisimagenme.wordpress.com)
• Pentecost 20 – “Treasures of Faith” (2 Timothy 1:1-14) (revtucher.com)
• Why Should I Get Saved and What is the Holy Spirit? (soulfulbluediamond.wordpress.com)
• Matthew 10.28-31 (apologistmike.wordpress.com)
• Monday Ministry Moment: Confession, Forgiveness, Repentance and Absolution (lavendermindy.wordpress.com)
• A Different Kind of “Far” (saralynnbelmer.wordpress.com)
• Love Leads To Obedience And Insight (whyjesusministries.wordpress.com)
• Direction, Confession and Forgiveness (inlovewematter.wordpress.com)
• Lost in Tomorrowland (rollietom.wordpress.com)
• Training and Following Instructions (forklifttheology.com)

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Our Daily Cross

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24)

Occasionally I read commentary in social medias (like Facebook) and come away with material for a blog. This is one of those instances. Recently I happened upon a posting that suggested we spend too much effort in denying ourselves and taking up crosses, when all we really should be doing is focusing on following Jesus. The poster continued that by merely following Christ, the first two actions would take care of themselves.

At first glance it seems to make a bit of sense, but then the Holy Spirit steps in and reminds us that there’s one huge problem with the concept:

“It’s not what Jesus told us to do.”

So the question then becomes what was Jesus talking about when He referenced denying ourselves and taking up our cross daily? Let’s look at the verse in context.

From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”  Matthew 16:21-24

Peter’s Mistake

Without rehashing the entire episode, Peter had not yet grasped the Spiritual doctrine of self-denial and taking up a personal cross; his actions demonstrate this reality, and the words of Jesus confirm it (in Peter’s defense, Jesus had not yet gone to the cross, but let’s not digress). Peter still had an emotional foot in the world which caused him to utter nonsensical things. Peter’s world-based emotions had gotten the better of him. Our heart aches for Peter, because whether we realize or not, we can relate to the character flaw.

Jesus continued…

For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:25-26

Self Denial

Denying ourselves speaks to repentance; that is the turning away from our illicit, worldly pursuits, and turning towards Jesus. It’s the attitude of being all in for Jesus and it envelops the idea of dying to ourselves and reckoning our ‘old man’ to be dead. The Apostle Paul wrapped-up the doctrine tidily when he wrote:

This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:17-24

In the Ephesians passage we clearly see what self-denial of the holy sort is supposed to look like. No longer do we walk like the rest of the world; that path is the way of darkness. We put off that sinful, corruptible conduct of our old ways (our old man), and put on the behavior of the new man; that which was not accomplished by human hands, but created by His hands. Nowhere in God’s word are we counseled to bypass this step in order to simplify the process of following Jesus. We cannot for it’s the very thing Jesus told us to do. And just so we’re clear, it’s not our work, it’s an acknowledgment and reception of His work.

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17

Our Daily Cross

The notion of taking up our cross encompasses all the elements of self-denial, but without the toil. As we know, Jesus finished all the work, and it’s there for us to receive by faith. The daily hoisting of our cross involves remembering daily that which Christ has already done. We remember both His crucifixion and resurrection, and yes, our own baptism.

“Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works” Revelation 2:5

For me, it typically occurs every morning before my feet hit the floor. In one sense it’s Holy Communion, but without the bread and the grape juice. I remember what Christ did, why He did it, my receiving of it, and my gratitude to Him for it. I also remind myself that my old man has been crucified and is now powerless over me. Oh he still may taunt and tempt me, but he has no hold on me. I then ask the Father for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit to instruct me, guide me, and empower me to do His will. Essentially I remember to present my body as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is my reasonable service (as per Romans 12:1).

Simply Put

I liken self-denial and hoisting a daily cross to making sure my parachute is on securely each and every day. In contrast, following Jesus without doing these things is akin to believing in parachutes, but refusing to put one on.

At the end of the day just remember, the reason Christians spend so much time denying themselves, taking up their cross, and following Jesus is because Jesus told us to.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

These articles may or may not be related:

• Picking Up the Cross Daily (inspirationalchristiansfortoday.com)
• Following Jesus, On His Terms, Pastor Boaz Olang (magnifyhisword.wordpress.com)
• I have come to call sinners (pbsministries.wordpress.com)
• Luke 9:28-36 (arietta18.wordpress.com)
• Uncomfortable Christianity (annawood.wordpress.com)
• How To Be Courageous For Christ (jasonneilsoto.com)
• A Broken Spirit (whitestonecommunity.wordpress.com)
• Regrets (faithfulgal.wordpress.com)
• The Passion of the Christ (christiansread.wordpress.com)
• Letter from Peter – A Devotion (lthomason.wordpress.com)

If you enjoyed the blog please like it, share it, subscribe to it, or comment on it. I read and respond to every posted comment. God’s blessings!

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Salvation: A One-Act Play

The People: “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38)

Jesus: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

The People: “How can we know the way?” (John 14:5)

Jesus: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)

The People: “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?” (Luke 4:34)

Jesus: “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved” (John 10:9)

The People: “We will not have this man to reign over us.” (Luke 19:14)

Jesus: “Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:14)

Finale: “Some men joined him and believed” (Acts 17:33)

Post Script: “Then the LORD closed the door behind them.” (Genesis 7:16)

 

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Peace that Surpasses Understanding

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

It would seem I have undertaken the impossible task this morning of trying to explain the unexplainable. After all, if the Bible declares that something ‘surpasses all understanding,’ then any effort on my part to clarify would be pointless, right? Well, we can all relax; I am not going to make any such attempt.

However, there is one thing I can share as it pertains to this ‘peace of God’ stuff ~ I assure you that it is real and worth having. Next to my personal relationship with Jesus Christ, my salvation and my hope of Heaven, it is one of my most prized possessions.

A Trying Couple of Months

“From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness…” 2 Corinthians 11:24-27

I cannot compare my issues to these. The reality is that I posted Paul’s account (here) as a reminder of just how slight my matters can truly be. The point I would like to make is that while some of my problems are personally significant and others trivial, nevertheless, in concert, they do tend to wear a soul down. In this way, all our problems are similar. However, I am not complaining. I only make mention so that I might expound upon God’s peace and how precious a commodity it is.

What is peace?

Well for one, it’s what the ‘Occupy Wall Street Protesters‘ are severely lacking.

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines peace as, “A state of quiet or tranquility; freedom from disturbance or agitation; applicable to society, to individuals, or to the temper of the mind. Freedom from war…Freedom from internal commotion…Freedom from private quarrels…Freedom from agitation or disturbance by the passions, as from fear, terror, anger, anxiety or the like; quietness of mind… quiet of conscience.”

Don’t you want that? Nobody in their right mind would say no. The true question is how do we get it? For that answer we must turn to the Bible. Precisely, we must turn to Jesus. More precisely, we must put on Jesus.

Put on Jesus?

Yes! Many people believe in Jesus, but few have put him on.

What’s the difference? Well let me ask you, do you believe in parachutes; do you believe that if the plane you are flying on was going down and a parachute was made available to you, do you believe that it could save your life?

Most of us would say yes.

We also understand that belief in that parachute is not enough; we must put it on in order for it do what it was designed to do—save us. The same holds true for Jesus Christ. If you want to be saved, belief is not enough—you must put Him on and keep Him on until you have safely arrived. Would you loosen your parachute straps or remove it before you landed safely? Not unless you’re an idiot.

But doesn’t the Bible say salvation is by faith (belief) alone?

It sure does. The problem that arises is that many of us do not understand what faith is. Let’s go back to Webster’s. Faith is defined: ‘to trust; to persuade, to draw towards any thing, to conciliate; to believe, to obey.’

From this we can conclude that where there is faith there is also obedience. Obedience is proportionate to one’s faith, and ‘putting on Jesus’ is akin to obedience. In this regard, faith and obedience are synonymous. The peace of God that surpasses all our understanding begins with obedience to Jesus.  Omit Jesus and you will never have this kind of peace.

The Path We Follow

The fourth chapter of Philippians provides a blueprint towards peace, but let’s keep in mind that outside of our obedient faith in Jesus, it’s of little value. Sure, the path is narrow, but let’s be grateful that God has provided a simple and convenient conduit for everyone. All that remains is choosing wisely.

Consider the Route

” Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:4-6

Rejoice in the Lord

It’s not a chore. Go back to the parachute illustration—your plane was on fire, you put on the chute, you jumped out, and you safely landed. When your feet hit the ground, did you need someone to tell you to rejoice? No. It’s a natural byproduct of having been saved.

Our joy is in the Lord!

Let your Gentleness be known

Gentleness by definition is an expression of joy. It is also the direct opposite of so many things that displease the Lord. Human beings are not born gentle, but when we put on Jesus, His gentleness adorns us. Concealing gentleness, or any other attribute of our Lord and Savior, is akin to removing Jesus.

Be Anxious for Nothing

The Lord is at hand! He is in control! He knows exactly what we’re going through, He knows how it winds up, and He knows the blessings in store for those who are submitted to His plan through it all. The tapestry God is creating is much bigger than what we can see, but we can declare, “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!” Revelation 15:3

Let your Requests be Known to God

With thanksgiving, bring everything to God by prayer and supplication. Webster’s reminds us that supplication speaks to praying earnestly, sincerely, sacrificially, solemnly, and with humility. As a result,

“…The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

If it were not so, I wouldn’t bother telling you.

Losing Your Peace

I don’t believe a Christian can lose their peace, but I do believe we can walk away from it from time to time. I’d be a liar if I told you my peace never waned. The only reason I am at peace today is because today I am practicing what I am a preaching. That’s not always the case. But our God is gracious and merciful and faithful. Although we might wander away from His blessings occasionally, He will never wander away from us. A person can walk a thousand miles from his home and when he turns to face it, be a thousand miles away. Not so with Jesus. Regardless of how far away you walk from Him, when you turn around, there He is.

“My yoke is and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:30

Related articles

• The Gift of His Peace (pttyann2.wordpress.com)
• 2 Timothy (mybiblereadingplan.wordpress.com)
• 4th Fruit of the Spirit: PEACE… (thegoldcommunity.wordpress.com)

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Don’t Be Alarmed: Harold Camping Wasn’t That Far Off

A New Date for the Rapture

Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. You turn man to destruction, And say, “Return, O children of men.” For a thousand years in Your sight Are like yesterday when it is past, And like a watch in the night. Psalm 90:1-4

It is recorded that this particular Psalm was penned by Moses and many believe that it wonderfully correlates with the Creation story found in Genesis. I would agree with that assessment. I also agree with Pastor Jon Courson’s evaluation that it not only parallels the seven days of Creation, but also the entire seven millennium history of mankind, including prophetically that which has not yet occurred. Of course the premise rests upon the Psalmist’s God-inspired phrase, “For a thousand years in Your sight Are like yesterday.” We see the idea picked up in the New Testament as well.

But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 2 Peter 3:8

I take the seven-day Genesis account of creation literally; that it was seven, twenty-four hour days. But I also believe that in God’s seven-day Design, He amazingly gave us a prophetic picture of what was in store for His creation over the next seven millenniums. The King James Version renders the 2 Peter 3:8 verse, “Beloved, be not ignorant,” emphasizing the importance of knowing that in God’s economy a thousand years is equal to one day and visa versa. Why is that critical knowledge? Well, as it pertains to the modern-day Christian, it helps us to understand that we are in fact living in the last days.

Day 1

In Genesis 1 we read that God begins His Creation. Aside from the Creation itself, what would you consider to be the most significant event in the first one thousand years of known history? Would you say that it is Adam’s eating of the forbidden fruit? I found it interesting that God said in Genesis 2:17, “In the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” While critics say, “Adam didn’t die; he lived for 930 years after he ate of fruit!” God might add, “That’s right! I AM true to My word; the lad didn’t even make it until the end of the first day.”

Day 2

You carry them away like a flood… Psalm 90:5a

In the Genesis account, on the second day God made places for the waters of the earth. Not coincidently, the big event in the second millennium was the Flood in the days of Noah.

Day 3

They are like a sleep. In the morning they are like grass which grows up: In the morning it flourishes and grows up; In the evening it is cut down and withers. Psalm 90:5b-6

On day three of God’s Creation, the earth brought forth grass and vegetation. The Psalmist’s words remind us of the big event of the third millennium: Jacob’s trek down to Egypt with the family. There, under his son Joseph’s protective hand, they flourished in the fields of Goshen. However, in time the nation was enslaved beneath the tyrannical rule of an evil pharaoh who forced them to cut down their own straw to make his bricks.

Day 4

For we have been consumed by Your anger, And by Your wrath we are terrified. You have set our iniquities before You, Our secret sins in the light of Your countenance. For all our days have passed away in Your wrath; We finish our years like a sigh. Psalm 90:7-9

On the fourth day, God created the sun, the moon, and the stars to give us light. It was by this light in the fourth millennium that Israel’s secret sins of idolatry were exposed. As a result they were led away into captivity by the Babylonians.

Day 5

The days of our lives are seventy years; And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Psalm 90:10

On the fifth day God made the fishes and the fowls; and the Psalmist records, “And we fly away.” In the fifth millennium, the big event was Christ’s coming, His death and resurrection, and Israel’s rejection. By 70 AD, the temple was destroyed and those Jews who weren’t slaughtered were dispersed across the globe.

Day 6

Who knows the power of Your anger? For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath. So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:11-12

We know that on the sixth day of Creation, God created man. Our Psalmist would remind us here that man, in this his sixth millennium, should be mindful to number his days, for the seventh day is rapidly approaching; the Day of the Lord is at hand. Roughly speaking, the sixth millennium ended in the area of the year 2000.

Day 7

Return, O Lord! How long? And have compassion on Your servants. Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, That we may rejoice and be glad all our days! Make us glad according to the days in which You have afflicted us, The years in which we have seen evil. Let Your work appear to Your servants, And Your glory to their children. And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands.
Psalm 90:13-17

On the seventh day God rested and in the Gospels Jesus repeatedly told us, “The Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.” Jesus is our Sabbath; i.e., our rest and His coming is nigh. How soon will it be? Consider the words of the Psalmist, “Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy,” the idea being early in the day. By all accounts we would say, “Oh, satisfy us early in this millennium.” This passage from Matthew’s Gospel sheds some more light:

“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near–at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.”. Matthew 24:32-36

In these last few weeks, with all the end-of-the-world predictions, we have been reading the, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only,” passage quite a bit. But focus for a moment on the verses preceding that one.

The fig tree in Christian typology represents the Nation of Israel. Many say (and I agree) that Israel became tender and put forth its’ leaves when in May of 1948, they became reestablished as a nation in the Middle East. The Gospel writer records that, “This generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.”

How long is a generation? Bible scholars cannot agree; some say fifty years, some seventy, and some say one hundred. The fact of the matter is that we are in the early years of the seventh millennium now. While we cannot be dogmatic about the length of a generation, we can say that somewhere between today and the year 2048, Christ’s return would be an answer to Moses’ come early prayer. The bottom line is that every Christian should behave as if Christ’s return were imminent…because it is.

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. James 5:7-8

In regards to the mentioning of Harold Camping in the title, it was not my intent to give him any credence–the man is deceived and we should not ridicule him, but rather keep him and his followers in our prayers.  I only wanted to highlight the truthful doctrine that Jesus could come for his church at any time. 

These ramblings are typically (but not always) a byproduct inspired by God through my personal Bible study at SearchLight with Pastor Jon Courson and with my pastor at my home church, Calvary Chapel Coastlands

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Who Told You to Say That?

It is better to trust in the Lord Than to put confidence in princes. Psalm 118:9

Had a little chat this morning with a lady about our religious differences—it was polite and respectful, but it still had that ‘Christians-aren’t-tolerant-and-everyone-else-in-the-world-is’ cloud hanging over it. That attitude of course comes with the territory and I’m at peace about it. After all, I consider myself an alien—why should I take up a dispute regarding the planet’s collective mindset. It is what it is and there are more important things to be concerned about…like salvation.

We danced around the tolerance issue a little more, but then I asked a question that ended our conversation.

“By whose authority do you speak?”

She asked what I meant.

I told her that in our zeal for our respective religious positions, we were both guilty of lovingly throwing around language that was absolute. I used one of her phrases, “pluralism in religious faith is necessary,” as an example. I pointed out that the use of the word ‘necessary’ was exclusionary as it implied that her remark was absolutely correct and my remark was not. For the record I wasn’t objecting to her remark or even her right to say it.

To clarify I told her that God was my authority. Oh not that God had specifically ordained me to say the things that I was saying, but rather that the words were His, that they’re found in the Holy Bible, and I was merely repeating them (or paraphrasing them as it were). In other words, what I was sharing was not a personal philosophy, tradition, or contemplation.

After my explanation, the conversation ceased and I have not heard from her since. Why? I suspect she realized that her authority was her own and that she had been sharing from her heart what she believed and what was relevant to her–She had in fact created for herself a religion that best suited her needs. The Book of Romans describes her behavior:

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man–and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Romans 1:18-23

Look around. God is obvious and to deny Him is to declare that you are wiser than Him. Currently there are over four billion people roaming this planet that do just that—they proclaim supreme authority over themselves. Professing to be wise, four billion people are playing god while simultaneously playing the fool. I spoke to one of them today.

I don’t say that mockingly or even condemningly—I pray that this lady will come to understand that there is only One Authority, not billions and that she would wisely submit herself to Him. Honestly, how can we make sense of this world or our lives when there are billions of us who believe that we know better than God? Our God is not a God of confusion and probably the main reason why there is only one of Him.

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Matthew 28:18

These ramblings are typically (but not always) a byproduct inspired by God through my personal Bible study at SearchLight with Pastor Jon Courson and with my pastor at my home church, Calvary Chapel Coastlands

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Suffering: The Upside

“Oh, that my words were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book! That they were engraved on a rock With an iron pen and lead, forever! For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! Job 19:23-27

Job has personal knowledge of an eternal, holy, Redeemer. Job speaks as one who has found an intermediary; the One who will stand up and pay the ransom that will ultimately deliver him. Incredibly Job speaks of the only One who could pay the price for his redemption and freedom. The question that remains is how did Job come by this knowledge—so how did Job know?

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Romans 8:35

We know that the things that happened to Job were not caused by God, but by satan. However, we also know that God gave satan the freedom to do these things. For centuries the masses have asked why would God allow satan to do mean, horrible, nasty things to Job. Was it merely so God could prove a point to satan; was it solely to demonstrate that Job would not abandon God if all his blessings were removed? I submit to you that it was much deeper than that and that God never does anything for a singular reason—Job’s tribulation would bring about God’s revelation—our Redeemer lives!

“Oh, that my words were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book! That they were engraved on a rock With an iron pen and lead, forever! For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! Job 19:23-27

Job hadn’t a clue that these words would be recorded in the best selling Book of all time and that gazillions of people would glean from his miraculous insight. Job didn’t know, Eliphaz didn’t know, Bildad didn’t know, Zophar didn’t know, but God knew–He would give us a glimpse of His Son through the sufferings of one man and the notion of a kinsman redeemer would echo forever through the entire Bible.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

Therefore, it stands reason that if God allowed Job to suffer in ways that would ultimately benefit Job and many others; He would allow us to suffer for similar reasons. Would perfectly successful people ever look to God for anything? No, they wouldn’t; without tribulation there is no need to look up. God in His infinite and perfect wisdom gives us a vehicle by which we will seek Him regularly. Christians therefore know that success is not measured by a lack of suffering, but rather how well we abide in Christ through them. Victory is realized when we hear from our Redeemer,

“Well done good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:21

I am not suggesting that God does not speak to us in the good times as well; that would be a silly notion. The observation is that our Father has some valuable information to share with us every time we find ourselves crawling in the dark on our knees.

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These ramblings are typically (but not always) a byproduct inspired by God through my personal Bible study at SearchLight with Pastor Jon Courson and with my pastor at my home church, Calvary Chapel Coastlands

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Religious Obligation or Religious Privilege

Then Solomon determined to build a temple for the name of the Lord, and a royal house for himself. Solomon selected seventy thousand men to bear burdens, eighty thousand to quarry stone in the mountains, and three thousand six hundred to oversee them. 2 Chronicles 2:1-2

The types and antitypes associated with the Temple built by Solomon are enormous and quite possibly innumerable. The fulfillment passages from the New Testament do however give us a threefold glimpse into the typology. John 2:19-21 for instance tells us the Temple is prophetically Jesus Christ. In inexpressible contrast, 1 Corinthians 3:16 cites that individually we’re the Temple. And while still grasping at that notion, Ephesians 2:19-22 reminds us that the church corporately is the Temple. While conceptually baffling, simultaneously (aided by the Holy Spirit), the believer somehow gets it.

Getting it

Despite the modern Christian rejection of the word religion, I cherish and embrace its intrinsic worth, for contained within are the components of our faith that we get to take part in. Those who discredit, disdain, and summarily dismiss the word have been prejudiced (apparently) because they see religion as the thing(s) they obligatorily have to do in supposed violation of their free will. While others quite frankly reject the word because they’re offended by someone else giving them biblical direction, failing to realize that the ordinances are God-breathed. That my friends is a shame.

I elevate the issue because in Solomon’s actions we see what God can do when a person is determined to do those things he gets to do. We note that Solomon’s free will was not violated–he could have refused. He could have said, “Hey, this was my father’s pet-project, not mine. I may have inherited the mission, but I don’t have to do it,” and God would have raised up somebody else to do the work. I’m pleased that Solomon didn’t perceive the construction of God’s Temple as just another element of somebody else’s legalistic religion.

More Typology

At the beginning of the chapter we read how Solomon established a workforce of 153,600 men. I assumed at this point that these were Israelite men. I was somewhat surprised to discover at the end of the chapter that labors were in fact alien residents who lived amongst the Jews. I believe it pictures how the Gentiles were to be spliced into God’s Holy nation of people. The Apostle Paul in Romans 11:17 would put it this way:

And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree

I am excited by the prophetic implication. What also excites me is that God’s people; i.e., His followers, understand that He has chosen us for this work. We are His tools and the appreciative believer willingly summits himself to the Hand of the Master. What should happen if we refuse? Jesus tells pointedly…

“I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.” Luke 19:40

Christ is building His church and as He declared in Matthew 17:18, “The gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” So if we deem the mission legalistic or replete with religiosity, there are plenty of grateful folk waiting in line to take our place. My prayer is that we, as both constructors and components of Christ’s Temple joyfully recognize that we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)

Follow me on Twitter HERE

These ramblings are typically (but not always) a byproduct inspired by God through my personal Bible study at SearchLight with Pastor Jon Courson and with my pastor at Calvary Chapel Coastlands.

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The Prosperity Doctrine

Now, my son, may the Lord be with you; and may you prosper, and build the house of the Lord your God, as He has said to you. Only may the Lord give you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge concerning Israel, that you may keep the law of the Lord your God. Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which the Lord charged Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed. 1 Chronicles 22:11-13

David Van Biema and Jeff Chu, writing for Time Magazine on September 10, 2006 addressed the controversy surrounding prosperity gospel in their piece titled, “Does God Want You to Be Rich?” They write that the, “Word of Faith, Health and Wealth, Name It and Claim It, Prosperity Theology,” is the, “new good news,” that their followers believe, “God doesn’t want us to wait [for].” The article continues, “It suggests that a God who loves you does not want you to be broke. Its signature verse could be John 10:10: ‘I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.’ In a TIME poll, 17% of Christians surveyed said they considered themselves part of such a movement, while a full 61% believed that God wants people to be prosperous. And 31%–a far higher percentage than there are Pentecostals in America–agreed that if you give your money to God, God will bless you with more money.”

The Problem

This kind of prosperity doctrine begins to unravel when we consider that the supposed leader of the movement, Jesus the Christ, was (for our sakes) a poor man. He willingly gave up His heavenly riches, was born in a stable to a poor mom and step-dad, toiled as a carpenter, considered Himself a servant, and proclaimed homelessness to His followers. Yet, in spite of His poverty, He was the most blessed man who ever walked the earth.

The Truth

What’s the deal? There is a difference between Christ’s wealth and the assets associated with the prosperity movement of today. Jesus was, and still is sold-out entirely for His Father. I’m not seeing that with the prosperous ‘Word-of-Faith-ers.’ Jesus kept nothing for Himself, but gave all He had for Dad’s honor and for our benefit; not His own. Jesus gave back entirely that which He received as an obedient gesture to the Father, thus giving Him all the glory. Just as Jesus said of the Holy Spirit that, “He will glorify Me” and “He will bear witness about Me,” Christ’s sole purpose was to magnify the Father and do His will. Jesus truly was about His Father’s business. Our Lord makes known that there is a divine purpose for prosperity.

And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. John 14:13

Recognize how the 1 Chronicles 22 passage supports our Lord and Savior’s position and how it further implies there are two types of prosperity: that which is God-centered and that which is self-centered. The verse reveals that Godly prosperity begins with prayer, that it’s given for a divine purpose, and maintaining it is provisional. Provisional? Yes. That’s not to say it will be taken away necessarily (we know that not to be the case), but rather it might very will be the thing that brings about a person’s destruction.

Therefore by their fruits you will know them. Matthew 7:20

Look around at the ‘Name-it-and-claim-it’ clan. Where do they live, what do they drive, and what are they wearing? They might be all about Jesus on Sunday morning, but what does the rest of the week say about their loyalties? What would their checkbooks reveal about their faithfulness? Do they claim their prosperity as an entitlement or the vehicle by which they might further the Kingdom of God? Listen to their message and look at their fruit—what is the Holy Spirit telling you? Beware those who would tell you that your best life is available now.

However, if you find yourself prospering, you should know the reason why. There is a true prosperity doctrine and a false one. Don’t be led astray. The manner in which you walk is determined by which side of the aisle you stand. Know that the blessings of God are a curse to those who would hoard and use them selfishly.

These ramblings are typically (but not always) a byproduct inspired by God through my personal Bible study at SearchLight with Pastor Jon Courson and with my pastor at Calvary Chapel Coastlands.

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Do YOU Know What It’s There For?

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2

Therefore…

Has your pastor ever said, “When you see the word ‘therefore’ in the Bible, you must always inquire, ‘What is it there for?’ ” Mine says it every single time it appears in a Bible teaching; so it’s been drilled into me, therefore the Romans 12:1 verse is no exception to the rule.

Total sacrificial submission is a strong tenet and it necessitates thoughtful consideration as to why Paul proposes it, otherwise we might regard it as mere legalistic compliance to a seemingly over demanding God. It’s for this reason that the Apostle Paul took the previous eleven chapters of this awesome Book to present the doctrine that would support such a radical application. If I could be so bold as to summarize: it is because of our Father’s ceaseless love, evident in His perfect grace and mercy, providing His Son Jesus as a propitiation for our sins, resulting in our being seen as if we have never transgressed, securing by faith our salvation and eternal position with Him in His Heavenly realm we therefore might present ourselves as living sacrifices. In consideration of these truths, it is only reasonable.

Metamorphosis

Anybody ever told you that as a Christian you are being brainwashed? You know how I reply to that? I say, “I needed my brain washed!” After years of conforming to a corrupt and selfish world, I needed the Lord to come in and scrub away the filth. Believers can say with full confidence that they are not giving up anything worthwhile when they willingly commit to Christian service.

The actual word ‘transformed’ is only used in three places in the Bible: here in Romans and in Matthew 17 where Jesus was transfigured on the Mount of Transfiguration and again 2 Corinthians 3. The Greek root of the word is where we get our modern day word metamorphosis. In these passages it essentially means the same thing every time: to be changed from one thing to another; like a caterpillar is changed into a butterfly. What are we being changed into? The glory of the Lord; living reflections of our Savior!

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18

How Are We Transformed?

The answer to that question is multifaceted, but suffice it to say, it is by pouring ourselves into God’s word—His love letter to His children. Does it not make perfect sense? John 1:1 records that the Word and Jesus are the same therefore it is only reasonable that if we desire to know Him for the purpose of becoming like Him, that we go to Him in His Word. Jesus said of Himself…

’Behold, I have come– In the volume of the book it is written of Me– To do Your will, O God.’ Hebrews 10:7

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